Why I Am At MATC

My name is Zachary Sharp and I'm currently an IT Networking major at Milwaukee Area Technical College.  Before becoming a student, I served six years in the United States Air Force.  During my time in the Air Force I had a chance to learn a lot of new skills.  I spent two years at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA where I learned the Korean language.  After leaving DLI, I went on to Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, TX where I learned about cryptology and intelligence.  Upon finishing training in Texas, I moved to Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, AZ.

In Tucson, I served as an analytical operator aboard the EC-130H Compass Call, which is a broad spectrum jamming platform.  Over the next few years, I deployed twice with US Special Operations Command.  The training for my first deployment included learning about radio wave propagation, cellular and satellite phone technology, and wireless transmission.  I found this to be extremely interesting and I new upon leaving the military this was something that I would really like to study and learn more about.

After separating from the military in May of 2012, I moved home to Wisconsin and soon enrolled in school.  I chose the Networking field because it contains a lot of technology with which I already have experience.  I'm very excited to learn more about this constantly evolving career field and and anxious to graduate and pursue a new career.  Eventually, I would really like to work in a federal job, possibly with the military, where I get to use the skills and tools learned from both my military service and my education at MATC.  I love to travel and this type of career offers plenty of opportunity to not only maintain current networks, but have input on the construction of new ones. 

It's definitely a good time in my life right now and I'm excited for what the future may bring.  Stay tuned...

Zac